Pelargonium plant named ‘KLEPZ10238’

ABSTRACT

A new variety of  Pelargonium  named ‘KLEPZ10238’, particularly characterized by medium strong growth habit, medium green foliage, lightly zonated leaves, and large, red flowers, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Pelargonium zonale.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPZ10238’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Pelargonium, botanically known as Pelargonium zonale, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLEPZ10238’. The new variety is the result of a controlled cross conducted in June 2004 in Stuttgart, Germany between the proprietary female Pelargonium parent, ‘PC 110’ (unpatented), and the proprietary male Pelargonium parent, ‘KLEP04131’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,251). A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and asexual propagation.

The new variety was first propagated via vegetative cuttings in September 2005 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart, Germany for approximately seven to eight generations. ‘KLEPZ10238’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety were applied for in the following countries: Canada on Mar. 19, 2010, Switzerland on Jun. 29, 2010, the European Union on Jul. 9, 2010, and Norway on Sep. 15, 2010. ‘KLEPZ10238’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Medium strong growth habit;     -   2. Medium green foliage;     -   3. Lightly zonated leaves; and     -   4. Large, red flowers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Pelargonium plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph is of a 3-month old plant taken in Spring 2010 grown from a rooted cutting in a 12 centimeter pot in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany under conditions which approximate those generally used in normal horticultural practice.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLEPZ10238’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken on 3-month old, un-pinched plants grown in 12 centimeter pots in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany. The color readings were determined under natural light. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Geraniaceae.         -   Species.—Pelargonium zonale.         -   Common name.—Pelargonium (Geranium).         -   Denomination.—‘KLEPZ10238’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary female Pelargonium parent,             ‘PC 110’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary male Pelargonium parent,             ‘KLEP04131’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,251). -   Plant:     -   -   Habit.—Medium strong, upright.         -   Height.—25.0 cm to 28.0 cm.         -   Spread.—28.0 cm to 34.0 cm.         -   Life cycle.—Spring to Fall.         -   Form.—Round, bushy.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—18 days.         -   Time to bloom from propagation.—104 days.         -   Lastingness of inflorescence on the plant.—14 days. -   Stems:     -   -   Stem color.—RHS 137C.         -   Pubescence.—Yes, short.         -   Stem form.—Upright, erect.         -   Diameter.—0.6 cm to 0.8 cm.         -   Length.—12.0 cm to 16.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—0.8 cm to 1.5 cm. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Apex.—Round.         -   Base.—Partly overlapping.         -   Margin.—Crenated.         -   Surface texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Rough.         -   Length.—7.0 cm to 8.0 cm.         -   Width.—8.0 cm to 10.0 cm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower surface: RHS 137C.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Surface pubescence.—Absent.         -   Petiole.—Length: 5.0 cm to 10.0 cm. Color: RHS 137C.         -   Venation pattern.—Palmate.         -   Venation color.—RHS 137D. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flowering habit.—Continuously.         -   Umbels.—Length: 7.0 cm to 9.0 cm. Diameter: 7.0 cm to 9.0             cm.         -   Individual florets of the umbel.—Depth: 1.5 cm. Diameter:             3.0 cm. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Cluster shape.—Round.         -   Cluster size.—Length: 4.5 cm. Width: 4.5 cm.         -   Bud.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Picked. Base: Obtuse. Margin:             Plane, entire. Color: RHS 137C.         -   Corolla.—Diameter: 3.0 cm. Depth: 1.5 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—8 to 12.         -   Shape.—Spatulate.         -   Apex.—Round, entire.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Length.—1.6 cm to 2.1 cm.         -   Width.—1.2 cm to 1.6 cm.         -   Color of lobes.—Upper lobes (both upper and lower surfaces):             RHS 44A. Lower lobes (both upper and lower surfaces): RHS             44B and RHS 34A.         -   Corolla tube color.—Inner surface: RHS 44A. Outer surface:             RHS 34A.         -   Fragrance.—Absent. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Picked.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color (upper surface).—RHS 137C to RHS 137D.         -   Length.—0.8 cm to 1.0 cm.         -   Width.—0.3 cm to 0.4 cm. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—1.2 cm to 1.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.15 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 176A to RHS 176B and RHS 152A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—10.0 cm to 16.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.15 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 137C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Anther length: 0.15 cm. Filament length: 0.15 cm.             Filament color: RHS 43C. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen             color: RHS 33D.         -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Stigma color: RHS 42C. Style length:             0.3 cm. Style color: RHS 42C. Ovary arrangement: Upright. -   Fruit and seed set: None observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘KLEPZ10238’ differs from the female parent, ‘PC 110’, in that ‘KLEPZ10238’ has red flowers that flower early and a medium strong growth habit, while ‘PC 110’ has purple red flowers that flower very early and a compact growth habit.

‘KLEPZ10238’ differs from the male parent, ‘KLEP04131’, in that ‘KLEPZ10238’ has red flowers with green foliage, while ‘KLEP04131’ has violet flowers with dark green foliage.

‘KLEPZ10238’ differs from the commercial comparison variety ‘Samantha Klesatha’ (unpatented), in that ‘KLEPZ10238’ has red flowers, a medium strong growth habit, and very good branching, while ‘Samantha Klesatha’ has dark red flowers, a medium compact growth habit, and medium branching. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Pelargonium plant named ‘KLEPZ10238’ as shown and described herein. 